Senior/Principal Accountant-MB - County Executive Office

WHAT WE OFFER
The County of Ventura offers an attractive compensation and benefits package. In addition to the salary of approximately $78,245.65 – 125,975.50 annually an employee within this position will also be eligible for the following:

• A general salary increase of 3.5% effective December 22, 2024.
• Bilingual Incentive - Incumbents may also be eligible for bilingual incentive depending upon operational needs and certification skills.
• Annual Leave - The candidate selected for this position will earn 208 hours per year, increasing to 288.08 hours after 5 years of service.
• Annual Leave Redemption - The ability to “cash in” or redeem up to 100 hours of Annual Leave per year after using 80 hours of annual leave within the previous 12 months (Management Resolution, § 1205).
• Deferred Compensation - Eligible to participate in the County's 401(k) Shared Savings Plan and/or the Section 457 Plan. If you participate in the County sponsored 401(k) plan, the County will match a part of your contribution up to 3% of your salary, on a per pay period basis.  Following five (5) years of continuous County service, an additional 2% non-elective contribution will be made to the 401(k) plan.
• Health Insurance Plans – Medical, dental, and vision plans for you and your dependents. A maximum flexible credit allowance of up to $25,558 annually.
• Flexible Spending Accounts - Increase your spending power by reimbursement with pre-taxed dollars for IRS- approved dependent care and health care expenses.
• Holidays - 12 paid days per year which includes a scheduled floating holiday.
• Pension Plan - Both you and the County contribute to the County’s Retirement Plan. If you are eligible, you may establish reciprocity with other public retirement systems, such as PERS.
• Additional Benefits - Professional Memberships, Disability Plans, Employee Assistance Program, Life Insurance, Tuition Reimbursement, Wellness Program.

THE POSITION 
Under general direction, the Senior/Principal Accountant-MB, plans, leads, schedules, assigns and monitors the work of assigned professional and technical staff; This position is responsible for performing highly complex and time sensitive financial duties involving budget, cost accounting, projections, rate development, grant reimbursement requests, and financial reporting. This position coordinates accounting and budgetary needs between multiple groups, including but not limited to Program Management staff, CEO Budget and Finance, GSA Procurement, and the Auditor Controller’s Accounts Payable, Financial Planning and Financial Reporting staff.
 
Forecasts, analyzes and prepares financial statements, cash flow projections, variance analyses, cost benefit analyses, time studies and financial data analyses affecting program budgets. Assigned oversight of financial activities of agencies with complex  and diverse funding streams; responsibilities including but are not limited to reviewing and monitoring grants, special funding sources, current financial activities based on current trends and historical data; recommends adjustments, if necessary; making sure that the financial activities are in compliance with GAAP or GASB, and in accordance with existing legislation, ordinance or any board actions.
 
Prepares disclosures for the County’s Annual Comprehensive Financial Report (ACFR) including leases, long-term liabilities, and subsequent events related to financing activities. 

Distinguishing Characteristics:

Senior Accountant-MB - This is the advanced journey level in the Accountant-MB series; positions at this level perform more complex duties and responsibilities exercising a significant level of independent judgment in the performance of their duties; work assigned to this advanced level requires a specialized technical or functional expertise beyond the journey level such as diverse accounting systems, extensive labor cost allocations and considerable financial analysis/reporting requirements.  Positions may also be assigned lead duties over lower-level staff.
 
Principal Accountant-MB - This the fourth and highest working level in the Accountant-MB series performing working supervisory accountant functions which are highly complex but less policy focused than accountabilities assigned to management level positions. Functional areas of responsibility include the supervision and direction of staff performing professional or technical accounting work in an assigned department or agency fiscal program area; some positions may not directly supervise staff but instead may have expert-level responsibility for planning, organizing and directing a major department finance program or function; some positions may also direct and supervise fiscal staff and operations within smaller department settings.

PAYROLL TITLES and APPROXIMATE SALARIES 
Senior Accountant-MB:  $78,245.65 - $109,543.91  annually
Principal Accountant-MB:  $89,982.50 - $125,975.50  annually

NOTE: If appointed at the lower level, incumbent may be promoted to the higher level without further exam upon meeting the minimum requirements, demonstrating satisfactory performance, and in accordance with the business needs of the department.

Senior Accountant-MB and Principal Accountant-MB are Management classifications and are not eligible for overtime compensation.

REVIEW OF APPLICATIONS: Applications will be reviewed on a weekly basis beginning the week of December 30, 2024.Duties may include, but are not limited to the following: 

• Reviews financial documents such as ledgers, reports, vouchers, purchase orders, and invoices to ensure that proper cost centers are charged, that expenditures and revenues are recorded in the proper classification, and that purchases and other transactions by the department are proper in accordance with their approved budget; determines the level and appropriateness of year-end closing accruals, prepayments, deferrals, depreciation, or adjustments.
• Analyzes fiscal data for various divisions, may complete Schedule of Federal Expenditure of Awards (SEFA) to determine if Single Audits are required.
• Reviews and approves financial transactions submitted by Accounting Technicians in the Ventura County Financial Management System (VCFMS).
• Assists/develops various service fee rates based upon cost analysis, utilization and cost trend analysis, and departmental financial objectives.
• Prepares analysis, financial statements, ad hoc reports including, but not limited to, quarterly/monthly financial reports, payroll reports and internal service funds reports. Assists with Board Agenda Items and determines fiscal impact on department’s finances and operations. Advises managers and executives accordingly and assists with strategies; and assists in the development of fiscal policies and procedures and oversees implementations of new operational programs or automated systems.
• Acts as liaison to state and federal agencies and client organizations/departments regarding operational issues and policies.
• Works with operations staff, GSA and Auditor Controller to facilitate the procurement process of necessary to secure contracts and agreements with vendors.
• Assists with Auditor-Controller's Officer/State Controller's Office in the preparation of financial statements, audits and cost allocation plans.
• Assists with and controls the department/program budget to assure conformance with revenue expectation, expenditure plans.
• Reviews Board Letters and provides relevant fiscal information for letters.
• Prepares annual performance review for employees supervised.
•  Performs other related duties as required.

The following tasks are performed at the Principal Accountant-MB Level:

• Plans, directs and supervises the work of professional, technical and clerical fiscal staff engaged in fiscal (i) transactional processes, (ii) reconciliation and balancing of fiscal accounts; (iii) budget development and reporting (iv) rate development; (v) time studies; (vi) grant claim processing and related accounting transactions and (vii) financial reporting.
• Recommends long- and short-term strategic plans in support of agency or department goals and objectives.
• Provides technical expertise and information to auditors, local, state and federal agencies, supervisors, managers and others regarding assigned functions.
• Interprets and applies laws and regulations governing assigned operations; may complete Schedule of Federal Expenditure of Awards (SEFA) to determine if single Audits are required.
• Develops and oversees implementation of financial policies and procedures in accordance with Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP) and the County's Administrative Manual.
• Assists with developing and implementing financial policies and procedures and ensures that activities are conducted in accordance with laws, ordinances, rules and regulations.
• Develops and oversees fiscal programs.

These are entrance requirements to the exam process and assure neither continuance in the process nor placement on an eligible list.

EDUCATION, TRAINING, and EXPERIENCE
 
Any combination of education and experience which has led to the acquisition of the required knowledge, skills and abilities. An example of qualifying education and experience includes:
 
Bachelor's degree with at least eighteen (18) semester units of college-level accounting coursework, including two (2) semesters of Intermediate Accounting, PLUS:

Senior Accountant-MB
Four (4) years of progressively responsible professional accounting experience, including preparation of financial statements; OR two (2) years as an Accountant II for the County of Ventura.

Principal Accountant-MB
Five (5) years of progressively responsible professional accounting experience with one (1) year as a lead or supervisory level; OR two (2) years as a Senior Accountant for the County of Ventura.

NECESSARY SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS 

• Intermediate proficiency/skills in working with financial management systems.  
• Intermediate proficiency/skills in Microsoft Excel.
• Budget accounting experience. 

DESIRED

• Intermediate experience with Ventura County Financial Management System (VCFMS).  
• Experience setting and developing service rate and fee schedules.
• Experience serving as a liaison between various departments, Executive Leadership and/or high-profile political figures.
• Experience in cost accounting, financial management of State, and Federal Grants.
• Experience reporting/presenting complex financial information to Executive Leadership, and/or Program Managers.
• Experience with the completion of Schedule of Federal Expenditure of Awards (SEFA)

Education/Experience Substitution
Professional level accounting experience may be substituted for up to two (2) years of undergraduate education on a year- for-year basis, provided the candidate possesses at least eighteen (18) semester units of college-level accounting coursework, including two (2) semesters of Intermediate Accounting.

OTHER REQUIREMENTS
Verification of the required college degree and college-level coursework is required. Transcripts or grade reports from an accredited college or university which reflect the date your degree was conferred and passing grades in the required subject areas must be submitted to County of Ventura, Human Resources within three (3) business days of applying to the recruitment. If transcripts or grade reports are not submitted, your application will be screened out and you will not be allowed to continue in the process.
 
You may submit transcripts using one of the following options:

• Attach the transcripts or grade reports to your application  
• Email the transcripts to Esmeralda.Oseguera@ventura.org
• Mail to Human Resources, 800 South Victoria Avenue, L#1970, Ventura, CA 93009

Unofficial transcripts are acceptable. Degree(s) from a foreign institution require an academic credential evaluation to determine the U.S. equivalency.
 
You must submit this documentation with your application, a hard copy with a paper application or a scanned PDF copy as an attachment for an online application. If you submit a hard copy with a paper application, be sure it's a copy. Whatever you submit will not be returned to you. To attach a PDF scanned copy to an online application, use the Add Attachment(s) link in the Attachments section of your application.
 
If the name on this documentation is different from the name on your application, include documents that show the name change.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, and ABILITIES

Thorough knowledge of: 

• Operations, services and activities of a comprehensive fiscal program in assigned area; 
• Generally Accepted Accounting Principles, practices, and standards; 
• Governmental accounting and auditing standards and guidelines; including financial management of state and federal grants; 
• Principles and practices of cost accounting; and budget accounting;
• Laws and regulations affecting the financial operations of governmental and departmental operations;
• Principles of business management; 
• Data processing systems applicable to accounting operations; 
• Project management principles and techniques.

For Senior Accountant-MB - some knowledge of: principles of supervision, training, discipline and performance evaluation.

Skill in: 

• Preparing and reviewing complex fiscal documents and reports; such as the Schedule of Federal Expenditure of Awards (SEFA);
• Research and analysis; 
• Using initiative, prudence and independent judgment within general policy, procedural and legal guidelines;
• Use of computers and related technology including software applications specific to the work performed, including intermediate proficiency with Excel and VCFMS; 
• Presenting/reporting complex financial information to Executive Leadership and/or program management.

Ability to:

• Organize and prioritize work assignments; 
• Prepare financial reports and statements; 
• Understand interrelationships among financial/accounting records and documents; 
• Understand, interpret and apply a variety of complex rules, regulations, contracts or legal documents in proper accounting context; 
• Communicate effectively both orally and in writing; 
• Establish and maintain effective working relationships including as a liaison between various departments, Executive Leadership and/or high-profile political figures.

At the Principal Accountant-MB Level

Through knowledge of: principles of supervision and management.

Skill in: effectively planning, organizing and directing work to meet workload demands; analyzing financial/accounting data and draw logical conclusions.

Ability to: effectively delegate assign and review the work of staff.

FINAL FILING DATE: This is a continuous recruitment and may close at any time; therefore, apply as soon as possible if you are interested in it. Your application must be received by County of Ventura Human Resources in Ventura, California, no later than 5:00 p.m. on the closing date.


NOTE: If presently permanently employed in another "merit" or "civil service" public agency/entity in the same or substantively similar position as is advertised, and if appointed to that position by successful performance in a "merit" or "civil service" style examination, then appointment by "Lateral Transfer" may be possible. If interested, please click here(Download PDF reader) for additional information.
 
Note to Applicants: Sufficient information must be provided under the Education/Work experience portion of the application and supplemental questionnaire in order to determine eligibility. A resume may be attached to supplement your responses in the above-referenced sections; however, it may not be submitted in lieu of the application.

SUPPLEMENTAL QUESTIONNAIRE – qualifying
All applicants are required to complete and submit the questionnaire for this examination at the time of filing. The supplemental questionnaire may be used throughout the examination process to assist in determining qualifications and acceptability for the position. Failure to complete and submit the questionnaire may result in removal of the application from further consideration.
 
APPLICATION SCREENING - qualifying
All applications will be reviewed to determine whether the stated requirements are met. Applicants meeting the stated requirements will be invited to continue to the next step in the recruitment process.
 
TRAINING and EXPERIENCE EVALUATION: 
A Training and Experience Evaluation (T&E) is a structured evaluation of the job application materials submitted by a candidate, including the written responses to the supplemental questionnaire. The T&E is NOT a determination of whether the candidate meets the stated requirements; rather, the T&E is one method for determining who are the better qualified among those who have shown that they meet the stated requirements. In a T&E, applications are either scored or rank ordered according to criteria that most closely meet the business needs of the Department. Candidates are typically scored/ranked in relation to one another; consequently, when the pool of candidates is exceptionally strong, many qualified candidates may receive a score or rank which is moderate or even low resulting in them not being advanced in the process.
 
NOTE: The selection process will likely consist of an oral examination, which may be preceded or replaced with the score from a T&E, contingent upon the size and quality of the candidate pool. In a typical T&E, your training and experience are evaluated in relation to the background, experience and factors identified for successful job performance during a job analysis. For this reason, it is recommended that your application materials clearly show your relevant background and specialized knowledge, skills, and abilities. It is also highly recommended that the supplemental questionnaire within the application is completed with care and diligence.
 
ORAL EXAMINATION – 100%: A job-related oral examination may be conducted to evaluate and compare participating candidates' knowledge, skills, and abilities in relation to those factors which job analysis has determined to be essential for successful performance of the job. Candidates must earn a score of seventy percent (70%) or higher to qualify for placement on the eligible list.

If there are three (3) or fewer qualified applicants, an examination will not be conducted. Instead, a score
of seventy percent (70%) will be assigned to each applicant, and each applicant will be placed on the eligible list.

ELIGIBLE LIST
Candidates who score seventy percent (70%) or higher on the examination will be placed on an eligible list for one (1) year.


BACKGROUND INVESTIGATION: A thorough pre-employment, post offer background investigation which may include inquiry into past employment, education, criminal background information and driving record may be required for this position.
 
EQUAL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY
The County of Ventura is an equal opportunity employer to all, regardless of age, ancestry, color, disability (mental and physical), exercising the right to family care and medical leave, gender, gender expression, gender identity, genetic information, marital status, medical condition, military or veteran status, national origin, political affiliation, race, religious creed, sex (includes pregnancy, childbirth, breastfeeding and related medical conditions), and sexual orientation.

For further information about this recruitment, please contact Esmeralda Oseguera by e-mail at Esmeralda.Oseguera@ventura.org or telephone at (805) 477-7268.

Salary : $78,246 - $125,976